LG to release glasses-free 3D smartphone

LG is taking off its glasses and gearing up for the release of its second glasses-free 3D smartphone, the Optimus 3D Max.

The Korean smartphone maker debuted its first 3D handset, Optimus 3D (also known as the Thrill 4G in the US), during Mobile World Congress (MWC) in 2011. The second edition will also be on the show floor at MWC amid a backdrop of large-screened, quad-core, and streamlined mobile devices.

LG claims the Optimus 3D Max -- which will also be called the Optimus 3D Cube in some regions -- will stand out from the pack thanks to its unique 3D experience and advanced NFC capabilities.

"The Optimus 3D Max was born from LG’s constant efforts to bring user entertainment experience to a higher level," said Dr. Jong-seok Park, president and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. "The introduction of the Optimus 3D last year ushered in a new era for smartphones and Optimus 3D Max is real proof of LG’s commitment to portable 3D entertainment."

The smartphone is slimmer than its predecessor at 9.6 mm thin and has a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, a 4.3” WVGA display, 8GB of internal storage, 1GB of memory, a 5MP dual-lens camera for shooting video and photos in 3D, and a 1.520 mAh battery.

The Optimus 3D Max is scheduled for a March release in Korea, before a global roll out. The device will launch with Android 2.3 Gingerbread but will be upgradable to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich shortly after.

According to a report by Twitter analyst Anltyk, Taiwanese mobile maker HTC is receiving the most MWC buzz on Twitter in the week leading up to the event with the rumored release of the One X, One S and One V smartphones.

Samsung is second thanks to buzz about the Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet and LG is in third place. Nokia, Android, Huawei, Asus Motorola, Windows and Alcatel are also among the top ten most buzzed about MWC brands on Twitter.